Registration deadline for Girls on the Run approaching

COLDWATER – Girls on the Run of Branch County wants you on their team.

Registrations are still being accepted for the 2014 season of Girls on the Run for Branch County but the deadline is fast approaching. The registration deadline is Jan. 13 with the 10-week program starting the week of March 10 for girls in the third through fifth grades in Coldwater, Bronson, Quincy, and Union City.

The registration fee is $120 and a maximum scholarship of $50 will be given to those girls who are in need. Registrations end on Jan. 13, or when a team is full.

Each team is limited to the first 15 registrations. Registrations will not be accepted after Jan. 13. Registration forms are available online at

www.GirlsOnTheRunOfBranchCounty.org or www.chcbc.com and can be mailed to Girls on the Run of Branch County, P.O. Box 483, Coldwater MI 49036. Credit card payments can be processed at www.chcbc.com.

Girls meet twice a week for 10 weeks and follow a curriculum that includes lessons on healthy eating, respect, emotions, drugs, values and community. Physical exercise is part of each lesson, preparing the girls for a 5K run.

The season is completed with the 5K Fun Run organized by the Community Health Center of Branch County. The 5K Fun Run will be on May 24 at Heritage Park.

The mission of Girls on the Run is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. The program will be held at Jefferson, Max Larsen, Lakeland, and St. Charles elementary schools in Coldwater; and at Bronson, Quincy and Union City elementary schools.

The committee is always looking for coaches and assistant coach volunteers as well as sponsors to provide the girls' shoes, team sponsors, and individual girl sponsors. If you’re interested call Phyllis Gillette at (269) 420-6042 or email her at phyllisgillette@yahoo.com.

Girls on the Run® is a 501(c)3 positive youth development program which combines an interactive curriculum and running to inspire self-respect and healthy lifestyles in pre-teen girls. The core curriculum addresses many aspects of girls’ development — their physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. Lessons provide girls with the tools to make positive decisions and to avoid risky adolescent behaviors.